AT I M E D - S U R G P R A C T I C E B · C O M P R E H E N S I V E R E V I E W
ATI Med-Surg Practice B
Practice Question Bank
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topics: Cardiovascular · Respiratory · Endocrine · Oncology · Neurological ·
Infectious Disease · & More
Edition 1 · August 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Cardiovascular & Cardiac Care 2
3. Respiratory & Pulmonary Care 3
4. Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders 4
,5. Musculoskeletal & Orthopedic Care 4
6. Oncology & Cancer Care 5
7. Neurological & Emergency Care 5
8. Infectious Disease & Immune 6
9. Pharmacology & Medication Management 7
ATI Med-Surg Practice B · Nursing Review Page 1
,ATI MED-SURG PRACTICE B GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & CARDIOVASCULAR
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is. Items marked NEEDS RATIONALE had limited source detail; treat those as flags
for independent review.
Cardiovascular & Cardiac Care
1 A nurse is reviewing the med records of a client who is taking warfarin for chronic
atrial fibrillation. Which of the following values should the nurse identify as a desired
outcome for this therapy?
A INR 2.5
B INR 1.0
C PTT 60 seconds
D aPTT 45 seconds
Why A is correct: For warfarin therapy, the target INR is typically 2-3 for atrial fibrillation.
INR 2.5 is within this therapeutic range.
B — INR 1.0 is normal but not therapeutic for warfarin.
C — PTT is used for heparin monitoring, not warfarin.
D — aPTT is used for heparin monitoring.
, 2 A nurse is assessing a client who has an arterial line. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A Place a pressure bag around the flush solution
B Keep the client supine
C Administer heparin
D Monitor capillary refill
Why A is correct: A pressure bag is used around the flush solution to maintain arterial line
patency and prevent backflow of blood.
B — Supine positioning is not required.
C — Heparin may be used but is not the primary intervention.
D — Capillary refill is not specific to arterial lines.
3 A nurse is reviewing the lab findings of a client who developed chest pain 6 hr ago.
The nurse should identify which of the following findings as an indication of MI?
A Troponin I 8 ng/mL
B CK-MB 3 ng/mL
C Myoglobin 50 ng/mL
D AST 25 units/L
Why A is correct: Troponin I is specific to cardiac muscle. A level >0.4 ng/mL indicates
myocardial injury. 8 ng/mL is significantly elevated.
B — CK-MB is elevated in MI but less specific than troponin.
C — Myoglobin is non-specific.
D — AST is not specific for MI.
ATI Med-Surg Practice B
Practice Question Bank
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topics: Cardiovascular · Respiratory · Endocrine · Oncology · Neurological ·
Infectious Disease · & More
Edition 1 · August 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Cardiovascular & Cardiac Care 2
3. Respiratory & Pulmonary Care 3
4. Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders 4
,5. Musculoskeletal & Orthopedic Care 4
6. Oncology & Cancer Care 5
7. Neurological & Emergency Care 5
8. Infectious Disease & Immune 6
9. Pharmacology & Medication Management 7
ATI Med-Surg Practice B · Nursing Review Page 1
,ATI MED-SURG PRACTICE B GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & CARDIOVASCULAR
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is. Items marked NEEDS RATIONALE had limited source detail; treat those as flags
for independent review.
Cardiovascular & Cardiac Care
1 A nurse is reviewing the med records of a client who is taking warfarin for chronic
atrial fibrillation. Which of the following values should the nurse identify as a desired
outcome for this therapy?
A INR 2.5
B INR 1.0
C PTT 60 seconds
D aPTT 45 seconds
Why A is correct: For warfarin therapy, the target INR is typically 2-3 for atrial fibrillation.
INR 2.5 is within this therapeutic range.
B — INR 1.0 is normal but not therapeutic for warfarin.
C — PTT is used for heparin monitoring, not warfarin.
D — aPTT is used for heparin monitoring.
, 2 A nurse is assessing a client who has an arterial line. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A Place a pressure bag around the flush solution
B Keep the client supine
C Administer heparin
D Monitor capillary refill
Why A is correct: A pressure bag is used around the flush solution to maintain arterial line
patency and prevent backflow of blood.
B — Supine positioning is not required.
C — Heparin may be used but is not the primary intervention.
D — Capillary refill is not specific to arterial lines.
3 A nurse is reviewing the lab findings of a client who developed chest pain 6 hr ago.
The nurse should identify which of the following findings as an indication of MI?
A Troponin I 8 ng/mL
B CK-MB 3 ng/mL
C Myoglobin 50 ng/mL
D AST 25 units/L
Why A is correct: Troponin I is specific to cardiac muscle. A level >0.4 ng/mL indicates
myocardial injury. 8 ng/mL is significantly elevated.
B — CK-MB is elevated in MI but less specific than troponin.
C — Myoglobin is non-specific.
D — AST is not specific for MI.
